Fatal fire reported in Junction City

A Junction City man has died from a structure fire late Monday morning. The Junction City Fire Department announced Tuesday Derrick Williams, 37, died in the blaze at an apartment complex at 1431 North Calhoun Street.

Junction City Fire and Police departments responded to the fire just before noon Monday, with fire in a ground floor apartment. A JCFD news release indicates during fire suppression operations, Williams was located within the apartment or origin. Medical care was provided and the victim was transported to Geary Community Hospital, but did not survive his injuries. Williams’ cause of death is pending an autopsy examination. Fire damage was limited to the apartment of origin, with some smoke damage effecting surrounding apartments. Damages are estimated at $20,000.

Fire Investigators with the Junction City Fire Department, with assistance from Agents with the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Junction City Police Detectives, conducted a fire scene investigation to determine the origin and cause of this fire event. As a result of this scene investigation, the fire was determined to have been intentionally set within the kitchen of the apartment of origin. At this time law enforcement is not seeking any suspects, and no suspects are believed to be at large.